PP and Vox condemn the Law of Historical Memory in front of the victims' families

PalmThe People's Party (PP) and Vox definitively repealed the Balearic Islands' Democratic Memory Law on Tuesday, after it had been in effect for eight years. Relatives of victims of Francoist repression attended the debate: a tense plenary session in which the Vox speaker presented himself as a victim, and the PP abstained from applauding the repeal. Speaker Marga Prohens was pressured to pose for photographs with far-right leaders, including Congressman Jorge Campos, who was also in the audience. This is the first legislative initiative promoted by Vox to be approved this legislative session. Maria Antònia Oliver, spokesperson for the Memory of Mallorca platform, placed a protest scarf on the Speaker's seat. Outside the chamber, some relatives shed tears after the vote. But inside, Rodríguez asserted his "moral superiority" over the PSIB and blamed the Popular Front for the start of the Civil War in 1936. In his view, the Historical Memory Law "is based on a false premise: that the war was the result of a confrontation between good and evil." He also explained that his relatives were murdered by Republicans. "How do you think I feel, as a victim, when they hold acts of recognition, erect statues, and name streets after Lluís Companys?" he asked. For the PP, Cristina Gil defended the repeal of the law as part of the PP-Vox budget agreements. She also considered it partisan. "It doesn't seek to remember, but rather to select, exhume some dead and bury others in oblivion," she lamented, and urged "reconciliation among Spaniards." In addition to the PP and Vox, the former far-right deputies, now unaffiliated, Xisco Cardona, Idoia Ribas, and Agustín Buades, also voted in favor of repealing the law. However, the deputy for Formentera, Llorenç Córdoba, broke with his usual support for the PP and voted against it. "The problem wasn't the law itself, but the political and partisan use that has been made of it," he explained: "Parliamentary majorities cannot alter the value of dignity, memory, and respect."

The left accuses Prohens of "betrayal"

The PSIB spokesperson, Yago Negueruela, accused Prohens of "betraying her word" by having agreed with the left to maintain the law last December, and then ultimately choosing to appease Vox and eliminate it in exchange for the budget. "Memory laws are far above the hatred and rage they have brought here," he added, addressing Vox directly: "A hatred and rage that the PP fosters vote after vote, until they become like them." "This law recognizes all the victims; it wasn't about revenge, but about acknowledging what happened," he lamented. Meanwhile, the spokesperson for MÁS per Mallorca, Lluís Apesteguia, argued that "memory is not an individual matter, but a social and collective one." "For 40 years, a narrative of good guys and bad guys was constructed, and the defeated members of the Republican side were systematically blamed," he said. He also lamented the effects of the law's repeal. "Should we allow the Francoist and Falange flags to be hung in our streets?" he criticized. Joana Gomila, from Més per Menorca, said that the government lacks "convictions": "The repeal was thanks to the PP, we never want to forget that." Meanwhile, Jesús García, from Unides Podem, said that the PP has been "distorted as a democratic party."

The plenary session with the largest audience of the year

The families of the victims and supporters of upholding the law had to sit shoulder to shoulder with the top brass of Vox, who also came to show their support for their members of parliament, and the young members of the PP's new generation. Tense scenes unfolded between them at the entrance to Parliament, a reflection of the back-and-forth between the parties that highlights the difficulties Spain faces in confronting its recent past.

Vox members of parliament were greeted with shouts of "out" at the entrance to the Parliament building. The parliamentary group's spokesperson, Manuela Cañadas, responded with a mocking gesture, and the deputy spokesperson, Sergio Rodríguez, said he feared for his safety. Meanwhile, PSIB deputy Omar Lamin went to the building's entrance to reassure some of the victims' families after a man complained and shouted "Long live democracy!" when security asked him to put down a photograph of his murdered godfather.

The debate was moderated by the Speaker of Parliament, Gabriel Le Senne, who is under investigation for an alleged hate crime for tearing down a photograph of Aurora Picornell and Les Roges del Molinar during a plenary session. Sources from his team say the parliamentary session was prepared, and he is expected to be the target of criticism. Beside him, PSIB party members Mercedes Garrido and Pilar Costa wore badges on their lapels in recognition of the victims. On the left-wing benches, members of parliament placed photographs of those who suffered repression in front of their seats.